Late-time neutron diffusion and nucleosynthesis in a post-QCD inhomogeneous Omega(b) = 1 universe

Abstract

A new, updated reaction network is used to show here how the late-time diffusion of neutrons into proton-rich regions of an inhomogeneous, Omega(b) = 1 early universe can influence the nucleosynthesis in such regions. In particular, it is demonstrated how such diffusion can significantly reduce the high Li-7 abundance associated with previous nonstandard big bang scenarios to levels consistent with observations of Population I and Population II stars. The problem associated with deuterium depletion by galactic chemical evolution is discussed, and the possibility of heavy element production in nonstandard big bang calculations is investigated. It is shown how heavy element production in the parameter space of the universe may help resolve the problem concerning the origin of the s-process elements observed in the atmospheres of second generation stars.